Washington, District of Columbia
In Washington, District of Columbia, a gallon of regular gas costs $4.07 as of 2026-03-23 — $0.62 above the national average of $3.45. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $2,305.1, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 2.75% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Washington's cost-of-living index of 155 puts it above the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$4.07
National: $3.45
Avg Rent (All)
$2,305.1
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
2.75%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$20.75
Combo meal
Grocery Prices
Grocery Item Prices — 2022 to Present
| Item | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | $2.15 | $2.56 | $3.24 | $4.84 | $2.66 | +23.7% |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.14 | $4.39 | $4.30 | $4.52 | $4.61 | +11.4% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | $4.82 | $6.04 | $6.41 | $6.87 | $7.01 | +45.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.58 | $3.52 | $3.84 | $4.03 | $4.15 | +60.9% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | $4.46 | $4.77 | $4.91 | $5.01 | $4.96 | +11.2% |
| Butter (lb) | $5.02 | $5.57 | $5.73 | $6.02 | $6.26 | +24.7% |
| Bacon (lb) | $7.69 | $8.31 | $8.98 | $9.25 | $9.62 | +25.1% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | $7.08 | $7.79 | $8.18 | $8.26 | $8.34 | +17.8% |
| Pasta (lb) | $1.79 | $2.21 | $2.32 | $2.37 | $2.37 | +32.4% |
| Rice (5 lb) | $5.33 | $6.01 | $6.31 | $6.44 | $6.50 | +22.0% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | $10.27 | $12.45 | $13.45 | $14.26 | $14.83 | +44.4% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | $4.59 | $5.36 | $5.95 | $6.18 | $6.36 | +38.6% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | $4.93 | $5.23 | $5.55 | $5.60 | $5.77 | +17.0% |
| Apples (3 lb) | $5.33 | $5.48 | $5.59 | $5.70 | $5.81 | +9.0% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | $2.79 | $3.09 | $3.31 | $3.55 | $3.62 | +29.7% |
| Lettuce (head) | $2.17 | $2.41 | $2.60 | $2.73 | $2.81 | +29.5% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | $6.78 | $8.47 | $9.06 | $9.52 | $9.81 | +44.7% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | $5.12 | $5.42 | $5.80 | $5.97 | $6.03 | +17.8% |
| Cereal (family size) | $5.91 | $6.80 | $7.13 | $7.49 | $7.56 | +27.9% |
| Frozen Pizza | $7.26 | $8.62 | $9.22 | $9.68 | $10.07 | +38.7% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$20.75
Casual Dining
$39.14
Monthly Spend
$643.95
+4.51% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $12.87
$20.75
+61.2%Wendy's
2022: $14.52
$22.41
+54.3%Chipotle
2022: $15.56
$23.24
+49.4%Starbucks
2022: $6.65
$9.23
+38.8%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Washington?
Average 1BR: $2,134.35/mo · 2BR: $2,769.73/mo
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